Our days are getting longer, trees and flowers are budding, our horses are shedding winter coats, the wild birds are building nests while whistling their happy tunes and frogs serenade us each night from the nearby wetlands. This is an exciting time as we shift from the dark days of winter into glorious spring!

Our classes are growing!

Both Blue Heron Ranch and YMCA Nia communities have been growing at a fast pace with new people discovering Nia and choosing it as their favorite fitness practice. The energy of larger classes is very fun and everybody is welcome. Thanks to many of you for sharing the Nia magic by bringing your friends and family members. It's exciting to see new people dancing, sharing smiles and enjoying the synergy we all create while reaping the benefits of Nia!

This newsletter has ten Nia and other somatic practice offerings for your health, creative spirit and well being. Here's the brief list, extended details below in the newsletter.

"I took my White Belt Training with Nia creators and founders Debbie and Carlos Rosas in 2004 after dancing with a variety of Nia teachers for four years. I began to hear a calling to deepen my practice and eventually share Nia as a teacher.

I arrived with pain, stiffness and multiple physical blocks due to some old injuries and life challenges that I had carried

around with me, in my body, since childhood.

I felt as if I was a sailboat with thousands of old barnacles on her hull, created as sort of an armor to guard and protect me. During the training week I noticed the defensiveness releasing through movement and positive changes starting to happen with each passing day. Nia's nine movement forms, the White Belt principles in action, and a community to dance and connect with during the intensive, helped me.

I literally scraped off the no longer necessary barnacles, leaving them in a 'screaming wake' behind me. So long! My hull cleaned up shiny and smooth removing the negative traction! I noticed my ability to move with greater fluidity, speed and agility. Thus began my lifetime process of applying the Nia principles in learning to 'self-heal' through movement, reach for my highest physical potential -

with 'physical sensation' as my creative guide.

The artistic and expressive aspect of The White Belt Training touched my artist's soul deeply. From a comprehensive study of musicology and choreography, I was left with brilliant artistic tools to learn how to craft rich Nia classes, with enough freedom to infuse my own signature.

Three months after graduating as a Nia White Belt Teacher I was teaching my own classes. I have never stopped teaching in ten years! Teaching and now training Nia teachers to share the practice has infused every relationship and all aspects of my body, my life and my livelihood in the most positive and beautiful way!"

Playshop with psoas expert, Liz Koch, international teacher & author with 30 years experience specializing in the psoas muscle. Educating both laypersons and professionals around the world, she is recognized by colleagues in the movement, wellness, and fitness professions as an authority on the core muscle of the human body.